PhD in Clinical Psychology, Clinical-child and adolescent concentration, Virginia Commonwealth University (2021)
MS in Clinical Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University (2017)
BA in Psychology, Drew University (2013)

Research Interests

Dr. Coleman uses a social-ecological framework to explore the roles of youths’ family, peer, and community microsystems in the development and maintenance of aggressive behavior. Her research program aims to develop, implement, and evaluate family-focused programs that reduce violence and promote positive development in Black families.

Research Statement

Dr. Coleman’s research focuses on using qualitative and quantitative approaches to identify psychological and social promotive, risk, and protective factors that contribute to internalizing and externalizing difficulties in youth. Dr. Coleman is particularly interested in the unique and interactive roles of family, peer, and community microsystems relevant for Black youth living in under-resourced communities. Her current research uses qualitative research to understand how siblings influence youths’ responses to peer conflict. She is also interested in the role of sibling incarceration on youth well-being and family functioning. As a postdoctoral fellow, Dr. Coleman worked on CDC- and NIH-funded R01s aimed at preventing and reducing youth violence and suicidality, including gun-related injuries. She has mastered and applied methodological and statistical skills appropriate for conducting cross-sectional and longitudinal research, including structural equation modeling, moderation analyses, and multiple group methods.

Coleman, J. N., Nguyen, T., Waasdorp, T. E., Whittington, D. D., & Mehari, K. R. (2023). Patterns of distinct forms of peer and dating aggression in adolescence. School Mental Health. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12310-023-09590-1

Coleman, J. N., Mehari, K. R., & Farrell, A. D. (2023). Relations between youths’ community violence exposure and their physical aggression: The protective role of adults. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 33(3), 986-998. https://doi.org/10.1111/jora.12852

Coleman, J. N. & Farrell, A. D. (2021). The influence of exposure to violence on adolescents’ physical aggression: The protective influence of peers. Journal of Adolescence, 90, 53-65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2021.06.003

Thompson, E. L., Coleman, J. N., O’Connor, K. E., Farrell, A. D., & Sullivan, T. N. (2020). Exposure to violence and nonviolent life stressors and their relations to trauma-related distress and problem behaviors among urban early adolescents. Psychology of Violence, 10(5), 509-519. https://doi.org/10.1037/vio0000264

O’Connor, K. E., Coleman, J. N., & Farrell, A. D., & Sullivan, T.N. (2020). Patterns of perceived parental messages supporting fighting and nonviolence among a predominantly African-American sample of early adolescents. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 30(4), 913-927. https://doi.org/10.1111/jora.12570